Congratulations to all the Ard Scoil students who did so well in their Junior Cert. exams. They received their excellent results this week so a big well done to all.

All Ireland Camogie Final.

Congratulations also to P.E. and Irish teacher Ms. Fiona Rocheford who was a member of the victorious Wexford team which beat Cork in a very exciting match on Sunday. Fiona had a great game herself as the team won an historical three in a row final.

T.Y. News.

As usual, the T.Y. students are very busy as they take up various modules. This week they begin the Intel programme with senior partners and also begin their Art projects with the Ladies of Carriglea. With First Aid and Self Defence and son many other modules as well as core classes, they are fully occupied. However, last week they took time out to go to Tramore for Surfing and environmental studies on the beach. T.Y. student Lauren Mulvihill gave me this report.

Surfing

Last Monday marked a big day for this year’s TYs; we had our first school trip to Tramore for a surfing lesson. Surfing is one of the main events that’s included every year in the Árd Scoil’s transition year programme, so we were interested to see how it would go.

In the morning before we left on the bus, there was no middle ground between those of us who were hopping around like excited bunny rabbits and those of us who would have, at that time, preferred to find a cave to hide out in until the day was over. We filed into the bus nonetheless, and headed off towards Tramore at around nine o’clock.

We reached the surf school - a small but extremely noticeable bright red building-not too long after and had some difficulty squishing nearly sixty of us into the benches they had outside. Once most of us had sat down and the rest had stopped trying, we divided into two groups and decided, with the help of a euro coin, who would take to the water first and who would storm the beach for an educational walk (since we were with the school, I presumed they thought we should learn something other than how to stay afloat on a board). My group ended up going on the walk first.

Although I wasn’t too pleased about it at the time and would have preferred to head out into the waves first, I think we all ended up enjoying the walk. We had better weather than the other group (unfortunately for them), for a start. We dragged ourselves over the “beach”- which was essentially a little bit of sand covered in every kind of stone imaginable, and was annoyingly difficult to walk on - stopping every now and then to learn a new fact. I can’t remember much, but I think a lighthouse was mentioned. We then continued on and over a group of sand-dunes, which interestingly looked more like a very small mountain range covered in grass, and back to the benches outside the surfing school.

After lunch and having quizzed the other group on exactly what we were getting ourselves in for, we headed out the back to collect our gear. While some of us managed to get our full wetsuits on without much incident (I felt like a superhero once I managed it), others weren’t quite so fortunate. Blood, sweat and tears were shed that day.

Just when we thought the worst was over, we went to get our surfboards. They had been described as being “light”, but even with another person helping me carry them I still would have preferred to have had my arms amputated by the time we reached the beach. After another five minutes of practice, we took to the water and ran to find some decent waves.

Although some people, like myself, only thought about thinking about standing up, there were a few brave souls who actually managed it, leaving the rest of us seething with jealousy until they fell off and we felt a bit better. The hour-or-so consisted of about half an hour of actual surfing, and half an hour of walking back out to the deeper water and getting blinded by the waves we weren’t quick enough to hop on the boards in time for. Yet, for some strange reason, it was still really fun. Even the people who were feeling less-than-enthusiastic that morning seemed to have a great time!

We had an easier job taking the wetsuits off, even though our arms were a lot worse for wear after carrying the surfboards a second time. By the time we all got back on the bus, I think the only thing most people had to complain about was that they didn’t have the time to buy any hot chocolate before we left.

by Lauren Mulvihill

School Mass.

On Friday, the school community moved to the Friary church for our school Mass, celebrated by Fr. Paul Waldron. Our new First years sang the Opening Hymn The first reading by Taylor Murray was followed by Words of Welcome from Aisling Hayes
Megan, Shannon, Ellen, Niamh, Katharina, Davina, Eimear and Emma brought gifts to the altar; a Bible, a crucifix, a text book, a P.E. jersey, a paintbrush and a collection of flags representing all the nationalities in our school this year.

The Responsorial Psalm, On Eagles Wings” was sung by the Third years and the second reading was by Clara O’Shea.

The Prayers of the Faithful were lead by Abigail Maguire, Alanna Coyne, Tara Keeley, Aisling Curran Lauren McGregor and Caitriona Slevin.

The Bread and Wine were brought to the altar by Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Power while accompanied by beautiful music from Laura and Clara Mannion and Maeve Brockie.

The Communion Hymns were sung by the 2nd years and the 5th years and the Communion reflection was read by Katie Leahy and Hayleigh Roe.

Following Fr. Paul’s closing prayer, the Cairde Girls for this year were commissioned and then Principal Mrs. Hughes addressed the congregation. She welcomed the new students in first year and our international students as well as the entire school community of students, staff, parents, Mercy sisters. She thanked all those who had participated in the readings and music. She congratulated this year’s Leaving and Junior cert., students on their superb results and wished everyone the very best for the coming year. Like FR. Paul she reminded us of the Gospel, telling us to make the most of our talents.

Thanks to teachers Ms.Cotter, Ms. O’Shea and Mrs. Lucey and their pupils for once again organising an inspiring and joyful start to our school year.